Mariyam Nazima

Mariyam Nazima was born in Male', Maldives.[1] She made her screen debut with an advertisement.[1] Afterwards, she was seen in the video single, "Fennaathee Balanyaa Loabin" directed by Abdulla Shujau and featuring the fitness model, Abdulla, alongside her.[1]

Nazima made her film debut as a confused lover in the Easa Shareef-directed Emme Fahu Dhuvas (1997), starring alongside Reeko Moosa Manik, Hassan Afeef and Niuma Mohamed in which a devious woman sunders her best-friend's upcoming marriage by creating false accusations and staging misleading impressions.[2] She next starred in Mohamed Ali Manik's Maazee (2000) alongside Ismail Wajeeh, Jamsheedha Ahmed and Aminath Rasheedha which narrates the story of two best friends, a boy and a girl, who get separated at childhood and reunite as adults.[3] Nazima played the role of Sama, a secretary who is romantically linked to her boss.[4] Mariyam Shauqee's widely acclaimed family drama television series Kahthiri was released the following year, where she played the role of the tolerable second wife, living in a congested housing complex while dealing with several social issues.[5]

In 2000, Nazima starred alongside Ahmed Asim, Koyya Hassan Manik and Waleedha Waleed in the Haajara Abdul Kareem-directed Ajaaib which depicts the relationship of two exemplary wives and their respective families regardless of societal norms.[6] She next starred opposite Yoosuf Shafeeu and Ali Seezan as a young woman who reluctantly marries a handicapped man, in Mohamed Rasheed's Hithu Vindhu (2000).[7]

In 2001, Nazima starred as Nathasha, longing for her unrequited love in Fathimath Nahula's drama film Naaummeedhu (2000) which depicts the story of a happily married couple whose life is shattered into pieces when they unintentionally invite a seductive woman into their life.[8] The film received favorable reviews from critics and emerged as the highest grossing Maldivian film of the year.[9] It was followed by her role as a money-driven greedy woman alongside Yoosuf Shafeeu, Mariyam Nisha, Moosa Zakariyya and Ahmed Shimau in the Shimau-directed family drama film Loabi Nuvevununama (2002).[8] Penned by Fathimath Nahula, the story narrates the journey of a handicapped man who has been betrayed in love and unknowingly marries his brother's love interest.[8] The film was a critical and commercial success.[10] The following year, she played a supporting role in the Imad Ismail-directed horror film Araamagu Dhonkamana (2003) as a mentally challenged young woman, co-starring Mariyam Shazna, Assadh Shareef and Mohamed Afrah.[11] The film narrates the story of a woman spirit who rises from the sea and marries a toddy extractor, disguised as a human being.[11]